Senator Bill Hagerty from Tennessee has introduced a new piece of legislation aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from accessing federal housing benefits. The bill seeks to close loopholes and restrict sanctuary cities from receiving federal community development grants.
Illegal immigrants have been allowed to participate in federally subsidized housing programs. They’re using American taxpayer dollars to move ahead of citizens who deserve these benefits. It’s time to put an end to this practice.
The End Housing Welfare for Illegal Aliens Act is part of a broader initiative by GOP members, including efforts from the Trump administration, to prevent illegal immigrants and sanctuary cities from gaining advantages that they argue should benefit American citizens instead.
Senator Hagerty highlighted that preliminary estimates show about 24,000 illegal immigrants are currently utilizing U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs. These activities crowd out American citizens who are eligible for housing assistance.
The bill aims to enforce HUD’s efforts to eliminate loopholes that allow illegal immigrants to access benefits through mixed-status households. HUD’s audit identified roughly 200,000 tenants with incomplete or unknown eligibility verification and noted that around 24,000 illegal aliens are benefiting from assistance meant for qualifying individuals.
If passed, Hagerty’s legislation would enforce a rule, supported by HUD Secretary Scott Turner, to bar illegal immigrants from receiving federal benefits. This rule would also apply to any future administration.
In addition, Hagerty’s legislation seeks to eliminate incentives provided during the Biden administration for sanctuary cities by revoking access to Community Development Block Grants. These grants support housing, infrastructure, and services.
Hagerty criticized the Biden administration for incentivizing sanctuary cities, stating that these policies allow illegal immigrants to be counted for congressional representation, thus affecting electoral votes.
The bill would require public housing authorities to verify citizenship for housing assistance, making it a mandatory practice instead of a discretionary one. This change aims to ensure that housing benefits are only granted to eligible U.S. citizens and certain noncitizens.
Illegal immigrants would also be explicitly barred from eligibility for Section 202 and Section 811 housing, which are designated for low-income elderly individuals and those with disabilities.
Hagerty emphasized the importance of passing this legislation and believes it would be highly supported by the American public. The effort aligns with broader Republican initiatives to tackle illegal immigration nationwide.
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